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Accounting analyst skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Thomas King,
Thomas King
Accounting analyst example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical accounting analyst skills. We ranked the top skills for accounting analysts based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.4% of accounting analyst resumes contained reconciliations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an accounting analyst needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 accounting analyst skills for your resume and career

1. Reconciliations

Here's how accounting analysts use reconciliations:
  • Reviewed and approved monthly general ledger and bank account reconciliations for special condition accounts to ensure procedural consistency and compliance.
  • Monitored daily cash account activity, prepared bank reconciliations, researched and resolved account discrepancies and performed accounts payable functions.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how accounting analysts use customer service:
  • Participated in the development and implementation of a successful initiative to improve cash, credit/collection, and customer service processes.
  • Provided customer service in a polite and timely manner to ensure customer is satisfied and accurate information is exchanged.

3. Account Reconciliations

Here's how accounting analysts use account reconciliations:
  • Completed month-end journals and reports, account reconciliations, warehouse audits, monthly inventory analysis report and corresponding presentation to management.
  • Prepare and analyze general ledger account reconciliations for bank depository accounts, A/R credit card proceeds, accruals and inventory reconciliations.

4. GAAP

Here's how accounting analysts use gaap:
  • Headed contract management between sub-contractors and the bank, ensured expenditures/revenues were accounted for properly using GAAP and contractual agreed procedures.
  • Maintained accounting controls by following GAAP and internal accounting policies; maintained financial security by following internal controls.

5. Strong Analytical

Here's how accounting analysts use strong analytical:
  • Utilized strong analytical and Microsoft Excel skills that assisted project leaders in generating spreadsheets to reconcile GL differences.
  • Detail oriented with strong analytical insight to recognize and implement efficient problem-solving skills.

6. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how accounting analysts use payroll:
  • Established and enforced policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulations relating to payroll operations and control.
  • Organized and reported sensitive payroll data and exceptions while working under controller.

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7. Internal Controls

Here's how accounting analysts use internal controls:
  • Incorporated appropriate internal controls in new or revised procedures to ensure the integrity of the accounting program and financial management system.
  • Revised and implemented a new corporate capital management policy to ensure compliance with internal controls/GAAP and consistency across the company.

8. External Auditors

Here's how accounting analysts use external auditors:
  • Coordinated financial statement preparation for 401k and Pension Plans with Legal department, external auditors and trustee/record keeper.
  • Collaborated with external auditors and served as liaison between company and independent auditor staff.

9. Pivot Tables

A pivot table is a technique used in data processing to arrange and rearrange statistics to prioritize useful information. The aim of a pivot table is to summarize the findings and interpretations of the data extracted. Pivot tables take information from a database or spreadsheet to report sums, average, and other such statistics. This technique is integral to data analysis since it turns the data to view it from different lenses and perspectives.

Here's how accounting analysts use pivot tables:
  • Utilize pivot tables in analyzing account accuracy.
  • Analyzed financial data through creation and maintenance of MS Excel pivot tables and utilized existing macros on a monthly basis.

10. Financial Data

Here's how accounting analysts use financial data:
  • Prepared clients' financial data and analyzed financial records for accuracy; documented all client financial transactions and organized records.
  • Worked closely with Senior Financial Analysts to track and analyze financial data from domestic and international manufacturing facilities.

11. SOX

Here's how accounting analysts use sox:
  • Coordinated SOX documentation requirements including loading of documentation updates into the RCTS tool and maintains department documentation for Group.
  • Participated in assorted projects, including SOX implementation and physical asset inventory tracking.

12. Process Improvement

Here's how accounting analysts use process improvement:
  • Identified process improvement, including system enhancements and external payer policy changes and worked with appropriate personal to implement those improvements.
  • Mitigate internal control issues and preserve integrity of financial statements through due diligence, identifying and implementing process improvements.

13. Accruals

Here's how accounting analysts use accruals:
  • Prepared and Processed end-to-end accounting for Pakistan plant including journal entries, accruals, reconciliation, analysis and financial reports preparation.
  • Prepare accruals for outside operated portion of accounting and monitor all outside operated accounts.

14. Financial Analysis

Here's how accounting analysts use financial analysis:
  • Assisted with various special projects and financial analysis as assigned and communicating the results to the Financial Planning and Analysis Supervisor/Manager.
  • Perform research in technical accounting and financial analysis matters and assist with investment decision making for senior management and investment committees.

15. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how accounting analysts use hr:
  • Generated various HR and Financial reports as requested by Management or Supervisors.
  • Managed accounting, HR, and project management staff totaling up to 9 direct reports.
top-skills

What skills help Accounting Analysts find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on accounting analyst resumes?

Thomas King

Department Chair, Director, Master of Accountancy Program, Professor, Accountancy, Case Western Reserve University

Evidence that someone is smart is a fast learner and works well with others.

What soft skills should all accounting analysts possess?

Thomas King

Department Chair, Director, Master of Accountancy Program, Professor, Accountancy, Case Western Reserve University

The ability to develop working relationships with a wide range of colleagues who have diverse skills.

What hard/technical skills are most important for accounting analysts?

Thomas King

Department Chair, Director, Master of Accountancy Program, Professor, Accountancy, Case Western Reserve University

The ability to extract information from unfamiliar data sets and then explain conclusions reached in a clear, persuasive manner.

What accounting analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija

Associate Professor of Accounting, Eastern Oregon University

Accounting students and graduates possess competencies that make them highly effective and trainable in related roles. Their attention to detail and analytical skills allow them to address challenges holistically and examine the wider influence on multiple components. They also have a comprehensive knowledge of various software and technologies, which makes it easier for them to adjust to changes in the workplace and advancements in technology. Moreover, accounting graduates and students demonstrate their practical knowledge and problem-solving skills by applying academic concepts to real-world scenarios. Employers can immensely profit from their capacity to handle challenges and thrive on difficult tasks. They have a unique combination of soft skills and technical knowledge that make them especially prepared for success in different business and commerce sittings.

What type of skills will young accounting analysts need?

Jaclyn Barkow

Clinical Assistant Professor of Accounting, Indiana University Northwest

In addition to the accounting skills necessary to perform the position's duties, communication, problem-solving, ability to ask questions, and adaptability are also excellent skills to hold. While the skills learned in each accounting course are vital to success, these additional skills will help to set young accountants apart from others who have limited skills in these areas.

Effective communication is so important in the accounting industry. Young accountants must be able to speak and write clearly to colleagues, superiors, and clients. Communication is not just being able to hold a conversation. Accountants must be able to discuss information in a manner that is clear and concise. Part of communication is also being able to ask the right questions and learn from the responses received. Young accountants must ask questions to guide the learning process. Part of asking questions is to learn from the process and avoid asking the same question repeatedly.

Accountants must be able to critically evaluate information and problem solve as necessary. Textbook assignments tend to be very clear on what items are needed or not needed, but such is not always the scenario in the workplace. Young accountants must be confident in their understanding of accounting concepts and critically evaluate problems presented on a case-by-case basis.

List of accounting analyst skills to add to your resume

Accounting analyst skills

The most important skills for an accounting analyst resume and required skills for an accounting analyst to have include:

  • Reconciliations
  • Customer Service
  • Account Reconciliations
  • GAAP
  • Strong Analytical
  • Payroll
  • Internal Controls
  • External Auditors
  • Pivot Tables
  • Financial Data
  • SOX
  • Process Improvement
  • Accruals
  • Financial Analysis
  • HR
  • Work Ethic
  • Fixed Assets
  • Close Process
  • Deltek Costpoint
  • Hyperion
  • General Ledger Accounts
  • Excellent Organizational
  • Balance Sheet Accounts
  • ERP
  • Credit Card
  • Variance Analysis
  • Treasury
  • Shared Services
  • Sarbanes-Oxley
  • SQL
  • Cash Management
  • Financial Transactions
  • Management Reports
  • Bank Reconciliations
  • Bank Accounts
  • Purchase Orders
  • PeopleSoft
  • Account Analysis
  • ACH
  • Ledgers
  • Balance Sheet Reconciliations
  • Bank Statements
  • Tax Returns
  • Expense Reports
  • Financial Results
  • Internal Audit
  • Customer Accounts
  • NAV
  • Asset Value

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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